I wanted to be a psychological engineer, but we lacked the facilities, so I did the next best thing - I went into politics. It's practically the same thing.
Interpretation
Asimov compares political work to psychological engineering, highlighting the influence of both fields on society.
In this quote, Isaac Asimov expresses his desire to work in the field of psychological engineering, which involves understanding the human mind to improve societal outcomes. However, due to a lack of resources, he shifts to politics, suggesting that both fields require a similar understanding of human behavior and can significantly impact societal dynamics.
In practice
This quote could be used during a political science lecture to illustrate the relationship between psychology and politics.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.
Make sure that your religion is a matter between you and God only.
The treasure I have found cannot be described in words, the mind cannot conceive of it.
I'm not a writer on a mission, and I'm very suspicious of writers on missions, but I'm also not living a false life.
Whoever despises himself nonetheless respects himself as one who despises.
Luck is like an atheistic word for God.
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